I haven’t quite gotten around to doing this myself yet, but I can already tell it’s going to be incredibly useful for all of us down the line! Not too long ago, my parents were looking into this and shared some insights with me. That got me curious, so I jumped in with some research of my own to help out.
You know that feeling when you find a few bucks under the couch or spot some coins in the parking lot? Pretty exciting, right? Well, picture that on a whole different level. Stumbling upon a lump sum of cash you forgot about or didn’t even know existed! *mind blown* Not only is it thrilling, but it’s also SUPER REWARDING.
I know you’re itching to find out how, especially since you’re here! So, without further ado, let’s dive right into the top ways to find unclaimed money.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
These are some great places to start your search for unclaimed money!
- Former Pensions and Retirement Plans: Search the PBGC website or PenChecks Trust’s registry for unclaimed pension and retirement benefits from past jobs
- Federal Tax Returns: Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund” page to claim tax refunds within a 3-year window, and ensure your address is up to date.
- State Departments of Taxation: Look up your state’s unclaimed money website for forgotten tax refunds or abandoned bank accounts.
- Online Databases for Missing Money: Check MissingMoney.com and the National Credit Union Administration for unclaimed deposits in old bank or credit union accounts.
- Unpaid Back Wages: Visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s “Workers Owed Wages” page to recover any unpaid wages from past jobs.
- Bad Investments: Search the SEC database or Securities Class Action Clearinghouse for potential recoveries from failed investments.
- Native American Money: Native Americans can use the U.S. Department of Interior’s “Whereabouts Unknown” tool to find unclaimed funds, including Individual Indian Money accounts.
- Life Insurance Policies: Use the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ life insurance policy locator to find unclaimed life insurance benefits.
